Divequest at Epcot ?

[disneygirlatheart]

Hope someone can help. Has anyone done the Divequest at Epcot? Could you give me information on it? Is it worth the money? Does the watcher have to pay admission into the park? I know you don't for the diver. Does the diver get to explore the park afterwards? Thanks in advance.

 

[clkelley]

My son did Divequest back in 2004.

Yes, to watch the divers, you have to have admission to the park. No, admission is not included for the divers. My son loved it!! He hasn't done much diving, just a couple of trips in the Gulf of Mexico, but absolutely LOVED Divequest. Lots and lots of sea life. The video they make is great too!!

 

[disnut8]

I haven't done Dive Quest but surprised my dad for his 70th birthday. My stepmother knew about it and also participated. They are both master divers and had their own scuba business in the Florida Keys. They dive all over the world.

Dive Quest is the #1 dive in their books. They both rave about it 7 years later. It is well worth the money (which is 100% tax deductible since it's all used for research). The watcher(s) have to have Epcot admission, the participants don't. And they can enter Epcot after the dive (we went to Morocco for dinner).

My husband and I were the watchers. It was just as much fun for us as my dad and stepmother. All of you meet outside the Epcot gates to meet up. The divers will be taken off as a group, and the watchers will also be given instructions. The only things the divers will need are their valid C cards and a bathing suit. Everything else will be provided. The watchers will be told when to be inside The Living Seas to see the entire dive. The first half of the diver is a controled dive. At one point, the divers will come up to the observation glass and the families can particpate in the video with the divers. (Hint: when the watchers get into The Living Seas, immediately get a spot in the middle of the observation area close to the glass or you'll be crowded out - also, don't be afraid to tell the other guests that you have people diving - you'll be treated like a celebrity). After the controled diver, everyone will get a dive buddy for the rest of the time. That's what my dad and stepmother REALLY liked. They could go anywhere and do anything they wanted. They said the fish and this huge turtle were so friendly, they couldn't belive it. Totally different from the ocean fish.

The watchers will meet up with the divers at the gift shop at a certain time. I would suggest you make an alterative place to meet. The watchers run out of things to do. Make the meeting place somewhere outside of The Living Seas. And buy the video.

Totally worth it.

 

[alloyd1170]

I did it back in 2000 (was my last dive before the kids came along). It was so worth it and then some in my book. For one, my parents were finally able to see me UNDERWATER. I even have them on the video they made for everyone. Its one of the last times I have my mom on video (she passed away 5 yrs ago from cancer). I cry every time I see her on it.

The highlights for me were waving and interacting with the diners in Coral Reef, the people riding the ride (which I now think is the Nemo ride), and the little kids in awe looking at us in the water. My son loves watching the video and seeing me go into the diving bell, removing my mask and reg and saying hi. As soon as my little one is old enough to realize that its mommy behind that mask Im going to do it again (Im hoping September???).

As others have mentioned, park admission is not included. We had park hoppers so it was no big deal for us. There are nice facilities to store your stuff and shower up afterwards (not sure if there were hairdryers though). You dont need to bring any gear (maybe a mask). No cameras allowed (unless thats changed). I think I wore my dive computer which is also a watch. One of the neatest things I discovered was what it looks like topside. From below looking into the tank you never see all the lights and other stuff up there. Makes it look a lot bigger.

I got a tee shirt, video, and stamp in my log book. I got pretty close to the sharks several times (which also got me in the video many times). Now if youre thinking-why would I want to fork over that much money to dive in a tank when Ive been here and there, seen it all......I am a scuba instructor, have dove all over, with Jean-Michel Cousteau and with Great White sharks. DiveQuest is still one of the highlights of my diving career!



alison

 

[kymma]

I did Divequest a few years ago. It was great fun and I would do it again. The divers didn't have to pay park admission but the people watching did.

 

[40thbdaytrip]

Oh I loved reading these awesome accounts of the Dive Quest trip.

I booked it for my hubby, he'll get to do it in just 2 weeks - YAY!! I'm really excited for him, as it sounds like a wonderful experience.

Thanks guys!

Anything else he should know?

I'll definitely get him to report in here on how he liked it, when we return.